International Journal of Research and Review DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20210928 Vol.8; Issue: 9; September 2021 Website: www.ijrrjournal.com Research Paper E-ISSN: 2349-9788; P-ISSN: 2454-2237 International Journal of Research and Review (ijrrjournal.com) 210 Vol.8; Issue: 9; September 2021 Effect of Extension Training on Technical Efficiency of Maize Farmers in Ogbomoso Agricultural Zone of Oyo State, Nigeria Akintonde J. Oluwole 1 , Akintaro O. Segun 1 , Rahman S. Bayonle 1 , Bamidele B. Samuel 2 , Oladosu I. Oladeji 1 1 Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, PMB 4000, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. 2 Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Agriculture, P.M.B. 5029, Moore Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Corresponding Author: Akintonde J. Oluwole ABSTRACT The efficiency of any entrepreneur is a function of personal production skill, knowledge and experience acquired over time and exposure via training in the field of his or her enterprise focus. It is on this premise that this study examined the effect of extension training on technical efficiency of maize farmers in Ogbomoso Agricultural Zone, Oyo State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was adopted for the selection of One-hundred and Eighty-One (181) maize farmers, while structured and validated interview schedule was used to obtain necessary information from the sampled respondents. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The mean age of sampled farmers was 48 years and majority (80.1%) of the farmers was male. The farmers with extension contact have access to different extension trainings on maize production in the study area. The average household sizes were 7 and 8, with the average farm sizes of 1.423ha and 1.417ha for both contact and non-contact maize farmers respectively. Those farmers with extension contact were found to be technically efficient than non-contact farmers. Significant relationship existed between some selected socio-economic characteristics of both sampled maize farmers and their maize output. The study therefore suggests the need to create more awareness on the roles of extension services on crop production among farmers and the authorities concern with extension service delivery should improve on the frequency of extension contact in order to encourage farmers' participation in extension activities in the study area and rural communities in Nigeria at large. Key Words: Extension training, technical efficiency, contact and non-contact maize farmers INTRODUCTION The strength and expansion of agricultural production still rely upon provision of required, relevant and appropriate technologies through the extension and support services. A technical efficient farmer is the one who has the ability to attain maximum level of output from a given bundle of input at least costs. The efficiency of any farmer is subject to production skills he/she possess, experience and exposure and knowledge gained via extension training. The main objective of agricultural extension services is to encourage farmers by improving their skill, attitude and knowledge in order to be technically efficient in their various areas of agricultural production. The objective of any national agricultural extension is to improve farmers’ output by adopting new or improved farming technologies, practices and methods. Traditionally, farming technologies reach the farmers via extension personnel, who have the responsibility to